(CNN Philippines) — The Gilas Cadets remained as Southeast Asia’s (SEA) Basketball Kings.
But the Filipinos had to bleed to retain their SEA Games men’s basketball crown against a pesky Indonesia, 72-64, in their swashbuckling match on Monday (June 15) at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
Mac Belo scattered 22 points for the Cadets, who raked in their 17th title in 18 finals appearances in the region’s basketball conclave.
Related: Ravena’s late three lifts Gilas Cadets past Thailand
Kiefer Ravena and Troy Rosario added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Philippines kept its foes at arm’s length most of the way, before the Indonesians found their mark in the final frame and staged a comeback that trimmed a once 18-point lead to three, 59-56.
But Ravena scored on a breakaway dunk in the ensuing possession, while naturalized Filipino Marcus Douthit followed it up with another throwdown with 3:51 to go for a 63-56 lead that never relinquished.
From there, the Filipinos had to earn the victory from the free throw line.
Fortunately, the Cadets munched nine of 10 shots from the stripe which were enough to turn back the opposition for good.
